Passenger operated swing device



Feb. 17, 1942. w. LIEBRECHT PASSENGER OPERATED SWING DEVICE Filed March29, 1941 q INVENTOR. 3 MUM Z/EE/QECHT be thus adjudged the winner.

involves physical effort and skill, it will be found Patented Feb. 17,1942 UNITED PASSENGER OlERAITED swine DEVICE Walter Liebrecht, New York,N. Y. Application March 29', 1941, Serial No. 385,917 13 Claims.401.2%2-57) This invention relates to amusement devices,

a and especially those adapted for use at amusement parks, carnivals andthe like, and with which a number of persons may engage in competitiveactivity.

The primary object of the invention is to providea device of thecharacter mentioned wherein a plurality of persons are each carried in aswinging conveyance toward a support upon which a number ofsuccessively-operated control elements are mounted, said elementscontrolling the operation of suitable signal devices so thatthe-sequence of operation of the control elements will be indicated bythe signal devices and the'more expert of the persons operating hisconveyance will operate the requisite number of control elements morespeedily than the other persons and Since the device interesting,exhilarating and amusing.

In the accompanying drawing, constituting a part hereof, and in whichlike reference characters indicate like parts,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connections andelements for operating the device, embodying a rotary switch, the partsthereof being in detached positionsfor clearness;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device showing the relativepositions of the swings and cooperating wall; r

Fig. 3 is a frontview of a slightly modified form of the device; I

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side view showing the relationship of swing towall, and

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional, view of one of the pedals of Fig.2.

The device as shown in'Fig. 2 consists of a plurality of swings,eachintended to receive a passenger and be swung in the conventional wayi by the physical efforts of the passenger, toward a support carryingv aplurality of 'fo'ot operated switches arranged one above the other.These switches are adapted to be successively operated by the foot ofthe passenger, in a predetermined sequence, as the swing carrying thepassenger travels in its are over the support; Since several swings areprovided, the object sought by each passenger is to outstrip hiscompanions by being the first to operate in sequence all of the switchesin the group over which his swing traverses. Each switch is connected toa signal such as a lamp, the lamps being illuminated and remaining soduring operation of the device so that each contestant may by watchingthe lamps, note his own progress and that of the other contestants.

The end or final switch in each group is connected to a winning audibleand visible signal, and the first contestant to operate the last switchin his group is adjudged the winner of the contest.

Means is provided by which all other winning signals are renderedineffective when one of the last switches is operated.

In the device of Fig. 3, substantially the same arrangement as that ofFig. 2 is employed, except that the foot-operated switches are arrangedin a row extending transversely of the direction of movement of theswings. The lamps are similarly arranged, and they are placed tosimulate a musical score.

With reference to the structure of Fig. 2, a plurality of swings l and 2are suspended in the convention manner upon the bar 4. The swings aredisposed in side-by-side relation and in a single line and as many ofthese swings may be employed as desired, only two being shown tosimplify illustration. Each swing is operable independently of theothers, and preferably by the physical eiforts of its occupant, so thatthe individual effort and skill of the several occupants determines thewinner.

Located in front of the swings is a curved or inclined supportingsurface or wall 5. The are of the wall is, as shown in Fig. 4, based ona center different from that of swing I, so that the arc l of movementof the swing approaches the wall at the highest pointof the movement.This tends to promote the safety of the players. The wall 5 may bedivided into separate and independent sections, one for each of theswings. This wall or support may be constructed of any suitable materialand my be supported by the framework 6.

pants on the support.

Located in front of each of stantially flush with the, curved surfacethereof, is a plurality of pedals indicated at 8 to 13, inclusive, thesepedals being hinged or otherwise resiliently mounted in the support sothat when the swing moves over the support, the pedals can be easilyreached by a foot or feet of the occupant of the swing and successivelydepressed.

The electrical system shown in Fig. 1 consists essentially of a seriesof pedal operated switches and a step-by-step rotary switch, a series ofGI lamps, audible and/or visible winning signals,

the swings, and so mounted in the wall or support 5 as to be subto I30.

and relays, all being so interconnected as to provide the desiredfunctions with the proper timing. Each pedal operates a switch of thepushbutton type, whereby a single foot-thrust on a pedal will close aswitch to light a lamp. Pedal 8 will thus close switch 8a, while pedal 9will operate switch 9a, pedal III operating switch IOa, pedal IIoperating switch Ila, pedal I2 operating switch I20. and pedal I3operating switch I3a.. One contact of all of the switches is connectedto one side 35 of the power line, designated as negative side forconvenience in illustration, the

other contact 36 of each switch connecting to.

one of a series of contacts indicated at 827 to I31) inclusive. Circuitbetween these contacts and the positive side of the power line is closedby a contact finger I5, secured on a shaft I6, and adapted to be movedwith a step-by-step movement from one contact to the next, or forexample, from the contact 8b to contact 9b andthenceto contact "lb andsoon, until the last contact, indicatedat I3b is reached. The contactfinger I is shifted from one of the contacts to the next by thesuccessive operation of the pedals 8 to I3 inclusive in proper sequence.

Secured upon the shaft I5, also, and movable therewith is an arcuatecontactor or wiper IT connected by the wire I8 to the negative side 35of the power line. Said contactor I1 is adapted to close circuit with abank of contacts designated at 80 to I30 inclusive, each of the contacts80 to I30 being connected by wiring to a lamp, said lamps beingdesignated as 801 to I3d inclusive. The lamps also have connections, asusual, to the positive side 23 of the power line; The I lamps 8d to I3dare each arranged, in the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2,alongside of the pedal which causes the lamp to be illuminated, and eachlamp when illuminated, will remain so, so that each contestant may, bywatching the lamps,ascertain his progress and that of his fellowcontestants.

Fig. 5 shows the mounting of the pedals. A coil spring 40 is mounted onrod 4| having a head 42 secured to pedal 8. The opposite end of rod 4|has a head 43 held against the outer face of support 5, the rod beingadapted to move freely in opening. Pedal 8 has contact member 8dcooperating with contact member 36 on support 5, constituting a switch.

In its inoperative or initial position, the device is as shown in Fig. 1with switches 8a to I3a biased in open position and contacts 22, 28 and30 biased in closedposition. When the occupant of the swing situated infront of a group of pedals, depresses the pedal 8, switch 8a will beclosed, and since the finger I5.is at this time located on contact 8b,current willflow through the contact finger I5 and through wire I9 toenergize driver magnet 20, forming part of the step-by-step switch ofconventional form. that includes the shaft I6 and contact members I5andv I1 and contacts 8b to I31), and contacts 80 Driver magnet 20 willthen rotate shaft I6 for one step to cause finger I5 to move to thesecond contact, or that indicated at 912 and remain in contacttherewith. Simultaneously, the. arcuate contactor II. will be moved toengage.

contact 80 and the signal lamp designated at 811 will be illuminated.Current flowing through wire I9 will also energize a relay 2I of thedelayed-action. type, and this relay opens its movable contact 22,holding the same open for a short period, say one-fourth of a second,stopping the movement of arm II, so that only one.

of the pedals can be operated at a time and in proper sequence to causethe successive lamps to be illuminated. After a short interval, contacts22 will close, by suitable means, such as a plunger to retard the returnmovement of contact 22, and when the next pedal, or that indicated at 9is depressed, lamp 9d will be illuminated. The successive illuminationof the lamps 10d to I3d will take place in the proper sequence by thesuccessive depression of the pedals until the last pedal, or thatindicated at I3, is depressed, the operation of which will set inoperation the winning signal, which can consist of a lamp or illuminatedsign, diagrammatically indicated at 24. The so-called winning signal canalso include or be an audible signal, such as a phonograph 25 which canbe set in operation to play a record when the last pedal in any one ofthe groups is depressed.

The last contact I is connected by wire 26 to the lamp signal andphonograph 25. Connected in parallel to signals 24 and 25 and the lastcontact I-3c is a relay indicated at 21 which isv energized when pedalI3 is depressed. and it is so connected in to the circuit of theadjacent switch groups that the last pedal in any of the other groupswhen then depressed will be ineffective to operate the winning signalsfor such groups. For example, if it is assumed that the pedal I3 forswing I is thefirst. of the final or last pedals in thetwo groups shown,to be delast pedal.

pressed, the winning signals 24 and 25 will be set in operation. At thesame time, relay 2'! will be energized and. the same-will open relaycontacts 28 in the circuit controlled by pedals operated from swing. 2so that the occupant of swing 2 can thereafter depress his last pedal I3without his winning signals being set in operation. Should the occupantof swing 2 be the first to depress. his pedalv I3, the relay 29controlled by the pedal I3 for the group operated by swing 2, will openswitch 30. and then the occupant of swing I will be unableto operate hiswinning. signal by depressionof'his pedal I3.

While I'have, inorder to simplifythe description. and operation of thedevice, shownonly two.

swings and, the. mechanism operated by the. occupants thereof,'it.willbe understood that. the

number of swings, may be increased'toan appreciable extent.

are used, the relays employed as. at. 2'! and- 25 When more thantwoswings will be arranged to disconnect electrically the, winningsignals of all of the remaining swings after any one swing occupant hasdepressed his In the structure of Fig. 2, the pedals.8. to- I3 inclusiveare arranged for successive operation in a direction co-extensivewiththe arc in which the'swing travels, while in Fig. 3 the pedals areconstructed to resemble piano keys-.andto be operated from left to rightorin. a direction transverse to the. direction of swing. travel,- thesignal lamps 8d to, I3d being arranged toresemble musical. notes. Otherattractive and interesting variationsImay be employed as will. bereadily apparent. to those skilled in. the art.

In theioperation ofthe device, the occupants abled. to reach pedal 9,which upon beingdepressed,,will illuniinatelamp; 9d The succes-;

sive. depression ofthe pedals continues until the last pedal, or thatindicated ra t 13, is reached, whereupon the first of the swingoccupants to reach and depress that pedal in his switch group willilluminate :his. winning signal 24 and sound his audible winning signal25. The depression of, the first pedal I3 in any group will, byoperation' of the relays 21 or 29, disconnect all other winning signals24 and 25 and preventanyone but the winner from operatinghis winningsignals. r. a l i ContactsEB and: 30 may be connected so as todisconnect driver magnet. 2 0. or'wiper ill, by opening wire I9 or l8,respectively. After each game is finished, means are provided'forplacing all the elements in starting position. i while I have shown anddescribed several embodiments of the invention, it is obvious that thesamemay be modified in many ways without departing, from the spirit ofthe invention. Al-

thoughin the specification I have referred to a. wall, it neednot besolidly constructed but itmay consist of any suitable support for thepedals. The wall" orwalls and the pedals may be made of or. be coveredwith shock absorbing materials. The lamps in Fig. 1 are shownstaggeredto correspond with the locations of the musical notes asplacedon Fig. 3, but other arrangements to suit the circumstances may be used.In place of the step-by-step switch shown in Fig. 1, any other switch ofthis type may be substituted, as such switches are well known. Where a.phonograph record is operated as a winning signal, a differentrecord foreach of theunits of the device may be provided and a single operatingmechanism be provided for all the units so that only one mechanism isrequired. r r

In viewof the above, the invention is to be broadly construed and to belimited only by the character of the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is:

1. An amusement device comprising, a plurality of independently operatedswingingly mounted, conveyances, each of said conveyances holding apassenger and mounted for propulsion by the physical effort of only thepassenger occupying the same, a support over which the severalconveyances move when propelled by their respective passengers, a groupof control devices on said support disposed in the path of movement ofeach conveyance and adapted for operation by the passenger as theconveyance moves adjacent to the control devices, and means connected tosaid control devices and to a signal device and by which said signaldevice is operated when all of the control devices in a group have beensuccessively operated by the passenger in l the conveyance movableadjacent to said group.

2. An amusement device comprising, a plurality of independently operatedswinging conveyances, each of said conveyances holding a passenger andmounted for propulsion by the physical effort of only the passengeroccupying the same, a support over which the several conveyances areswung, a group of control devices in the path of movement of eachconveyance and adapted for operation by the passenger as the conveyanceswings over them, signal devices and means connected to said controldevices and to the signal devices for successively operating a signaldevice when each one of the control devices is operated and foroperating another signaldevice when all of-the control devices in agroup have been operated.

['3 en amusement-device comprising, a plurality of independentlyoperated swings, a support over which each of the swingsis swung by thephysical efforts of only the passenger occupying the same,.a'group; ofswitches on the support and disposed in the path of movement of each ofthe swings, and-arranged for operation by the physical effort of thepassenger of each swing, an electric signal connectedto each switch andarranged for actuation when each switch is operated, and another signalarranged for actuation when the last switch in agroup is operated.

4. An amusementdevice comprising, a plurality of independentlyoperated-swings, a support over which each-oi the swings is swung by thephysical efforts of only the passenger occupying the same, a; group ofswitches on the support adjacent. to each swingqand, in position to beoperated by the foot of the passenger thereof asthe swing'movesoverthesup-port, signal devices, and an electrical circuit connecting thesignaldevices andthe switches and by which the signal devices for eachgroup of switches will be successively operated with the switches insaid group are successivelyoperated by the passenger in the swing movingover said group, and other signal devices operative when the last switchin any one of the groups is first operated.

5. An amusementdevice comprising a plurality of independently operatedswings, a support overwhich each of the swings is swung, a group ofswitches on the support and disposed in the path of movement 5 of eachof, the'swings and arranged for operation by the foot of the passengerin the swing, an electrically controlled signal connected zto eachswitch and adapted for operation when each switch is operated, means forpreventing operation of;-the signals in any one group unless theswitches for said group are operated in sequence, and an additional mainsignal for each group, said main signal being operated when and if thelast switch in any group is the first one of the last switches in all ofthe groups to be operated.

6. An amusement device comprising, a plural-- ity of independentlyoperated swings, an inclined wall constituting a support disposedadjacent said swings and in position to be reached by the .feet of theoccupants of said swings as the swings move back and forth, switchescarried by the support and adapted to be operated by the feet of theswing occupants, and electric signals controlled by operation of saidswitches.

7. An amusement device comprising, a plurality of independently operatedswings, a curved wall disposed adjacent to said swings and. in positionto be reached by the feet of the occupantsof the swings as the swingsare moved back and forth by the physical 'efiorts of their occupants,switches mounted in the wall and arranged substantially flush with thesurface thereof, signals, and electrical circuits connecting the signalsand the switches and by which the signals are actuated when the switchesare closed by the feet of the swingson the. switches as theswingsintheir swinging movementcarry theoccupants to aposition tooperate the switchess 9.- An amusement device comprising" a plurality ofindependently operated swings,-each' of which is adapted to carrya-passenger' who propels the swing by his physical eifort, a supportdisposed adjacent to the swings and over which the several swings areswung; a group of switches disposed on the support in front of eachswing and arranged for successive foot-operation by the occupant of'theswing, a visible signal electrically connected to each switch andarranged to operate when its switch is closedby' the occupant of theswing moving adjacent toit, means for pre-- venting actuation .of thesignals unless the same are operated in a predetermined sequence, anadditional main signal electricallyconnected to the last signal in eachgroup, and meansby which the actuation of the main signal for one groupwill render the main signals for the other groups ineffective.

10. An amusement device comprising', a plurality ofindependentlyoperated swings arranged in side by-sid relationship; asupport over which each of the swings is swung'by the physicaleffortsiiof only the passenger'occupying the same," a group of switcheson the support-in front-of each swing arranged transversely 'oi thedirection oflmovement of the swings, the switches in each group beingadapted foroperation by the passenger in the swing movable adjacent tothe group,

a visible signal electrically connected to and controlled. by eachof theswitches, an additional main signal connected to and controlled by thelast switch in each group, an audible signal also connected to andcontrolled by the last switch in each group, and means by which theactuation of'th'e main signal and audible signal for one group willrender similar signals for the other groups ineifective.

aerate- 1" 11.-In an amusement device, a swing for carrying apassenger,a curved support adjacent to the'path of movement of the swing, a numberof switches-mounted on the support, a number of signal lamps on thesupport, and'electrical circuitsbetween the lamps and the switcheswhereby a lamp will be illuminated by the pressureof the feet of theswing occupant on one of the switches when he is carried to a positionby the swing to reach and operate said switch by foot pressure.

12. In an amusement; device, a swing for carrying a passenger, a curvedsupport adjacent to the path of-movement of the swing, a group ofswitches mounted on the support, a number of 13. An amusement devicecomprising a series of'independently operated swings mounted in a lineandin' side-by-side relation, an inclosed supporttoward which the swingsare movable solely by 'eiforts of the passenger in each swing, switcheson the support over which the swing is swung,

signals electrically connected to the switches Wherebysaid' signals areactuated by foot operation of the switches by the passenger of theswing, and means for requiring operation of said switches in apredetermined sequence to procure actuation of the signals.

WALTER LIEBRECHT.

